Learn the essentials of Intellectual Property (IP) and start your IP journey with confidence
Strong companies start with informed founders. This program equips you with the practical IP knowledge you need to protect your ideas, collaborate safely, and make confident decisions that support your business as it grows.
What you can expect
The Founder's IP Journey is designed to empower entrepreneurs with the practical, beginner-friendly IP knowledge needed to build a defensible, investor-ready startup. Through short videos, checklists, and guided activities, this program breaks down intellectual property into clear, actionable steps so you can protect what makes your business unique.
Whether you’re refining an idea, preparing to collaborate, naming your company, or getting ready to pitch, this program gives you the confidence and tools to navigate IP decisions from day one.
By joining the Founder's IP Journey, you’ll understand what parts of your business can be protected, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to talk about your innovation without giving away too much. And the best part? It’s accessible, practical, and designed specifically for founders at the earliest stages.
Start your journey today with the support and guidance you need to protect your ideas and build a strong foundation for your company’s future.
About the course
This self-paced program includes 9 bite-sized modules, each featuring short videos, simple handouts, real-world examples, and quick quizzes to help you build your IP confidence.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
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What is protectable? — Ideas vs. actual intellectual property.
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How to check if your idea is unique.
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How to pitch without oversharing.
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Trademarks, names, and brand protection.
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Working effectively with an IP professional.
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Choosing the right IP strategy for your business model.
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Building IP habits inside your company.
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How to talk about IP with investors.
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Collaborating without losing ownership.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the program, you will have:
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A clear understanding of what intellectual property is, what it is not, and how it applies to your idea or business.
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A starter IP inventory that identifies the types of IP you already have and what may be worth protecting.
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Practical guidance on when to protect, what to protect, and the tools or pathways available for patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, and trade secrets.
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Confidence to collaborate safely with partners, contractors, and advisors through well-structured agreements and ownership clarity.
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Awareness of disclosure risks and how to talk about your innovation without jeopardizing future protection.
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A verified approach to choosing and protecting a brand name, supported by basic clearance checks to avoid costly rebranding later.
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Clear expectations of your role in the IP protection process and how to work effectively with an IP professional.
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Habits and frameworks to embed IP thinking into your company, including policies, reporting practices, and basic trade secret management.
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A high-level IP narrative you can share with potential investors that demonstrates ownership, strategy, and competitive advantage.
Ultimately, you’ll finish the program with a solid foundation for building an IP-smart startup ready for long-term success.
North Forge, in partnership with Communitech, is a recipient of Federal Government funding under ISED’s ElevateIP program in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
